1Zhang and Liu, the two bosses, felt their hearts leap into their throats again.
Lawyer Xia had already told them, Maohe had the upper hand, and it was impossible to win the lawsuit.
Now the other party had made it clear they were not afraid of a lose-lose situation. What choice did they have other than agreeing to the conditions?
Xia Anming coughed and asked, "What conditions?"
"First," Xiao Ming said, "our company is not a charity. Even if we're not in it to make money, we certainly can't afford to lose money.
So, not only do you have to return the full amount of the housing payment we made, but you also have to compensate us for the taxes and other costs incurred during the transaction.
Of course, all expenses arising from the return and re-trade of the property shall also be borne by you."
Zhang and Liu had no idea how much money that was, but as soon as they heard they had to pay compensation, they didn't want to agree. Just as they were about to speak, Xia Anming pulled at them and whispered, "It's just a matter of a few hundred bucks per household, it's not worth making a fuss."
The two were immediately reassured.
Now the price of houses in the shanty area had risen two to three times compared to before; even the smallest ones could sell for tens of thousands more, so a few hundred really wasn't much.
"The second condition..."
A sharp light flashed in Xiao Ming's eyes as he drawled, "Actually, I can understand the feelings of the neighbors personally.
Seeing housing prices soar while everyone else's homes are selling big, and getting nothing from your own, would make anyone uncomfortable.
Therefore, in the spirit of looking out for everyone's interests and seeking the greatest benefit for you, I think you should go to the owner of the land, Dabang Group.
They should take out the compensation that should be paid to you according to the current housing prices, or at least freeze it in the bank for designated use, just in case.
After all, you've all heard of developers reneging on their debts. Later, they might label you as nail households, which would be quite unjust, right?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Anming's brow furrowed, "Mr. Xiao means that only if Dabang Group prepares the compensation that they owe us, you will return the houses to us?"
"That's a necessary condition."
Xiao Ming's tone was unmistakable, "Maohe owes you nothing, yet you've put on quite a show for several days, causing significant damage to our reputation.
It's Dabang that owes you the compensation. Are you afraid to demand what you rightfully deserve?
How does that make sense?"
"That..." Xia Anming hesitated for a moment and then said, "Mr. Xiao, since you're also in the real estate business, you should know that even if the compensation goes smoothly, it's not something that can be settled in a day or two. We..."
"You have absolutely nothing to worry about on that point," Xiao Ming interrupted, "Firstly, we can sign a housing return agreement today, guaranteeing that we will indeed return the houses to you when the time comes.
Secondly, no matter how long this matter takes, our company will not forcibly retrieve the rights to use the houses. The neighbors can continue to live in them, until we have completed the property transaction.
We can include this clause in the contract as well.
Lawyer Xia, Maohe has gone this far. Honestly, saying we have done our utmost is not an exaggeration, right?"
"What if Dabang Group refuses, arguing that the houses don't belong to us?"
"Cause a scene! Go to the TV stations, seek out the Government Officer!" Xiao Ming glared, "You had so much gusto when playing the rogue at our company, so why are you getting timid when it's time to make a legitimate demand?
So you only know how to bully honest people?"
With the discussion reaching this point, any further argument would be a waste of time. Hence, Xia Anming said he needed to discuss with the neighbors and, along with Zhang and Liu, took his leave.
Yun Shi Yu reviewed the negotiation notes she had recorded and asked, "Will they agree?"
"They will," Xiao Ming replied crisply.
"Why?" Yang Hanqing asked.
Xiao Ming smiled slightly and said to Shen Siyi, "Later, I'll give you an account number. Have the company finance transfer a hundred thousand there. On the transfer slip, write: 'Legal consulting fees.' You just need to sign it later."
Shen Siyi was stunned, "Legal consultation? Who?"
Xiao Ming hadn't answered when Yun Shi Yu suddenly gasped, looking at him as if he were looking at a devil.
"That Xia... Xia Anming, did you... arrange him for the residents of the shanty town?"
"I remember a sleight-of-hand expert once told me at the gambling table, 'The truly invincible hand is the one where everyone at the table but the mark is one of ours!'"
Having said that, Xiao Ming stood up and left the conference room, leaving Yun Shi Yu, Shen Siyi, and Yang Hanqing looking at each other in bewilderment.
After a while, Shen Siyi let out a long sigh and said, "I feel like if Ming was ever preparing to sell me out, I'd definitely help him haggle over the price."
Yun Shi Yu forced a smile, "Although the likelihood of this happening isn't high, honestly, I don't know if following such a boss is a stroke of luck or a disaster."
Yang Hanqing bit her lip and suddenly said, "He is a person who values relationships."
She immediately wanted to cover her mouth after she spoke.
Because it was her inner thought, inadvertently voiced out; and also because Yun Shi Yu's eyes suddenly brightened, shining like stars.
Clearly, Yun Shi Yu had also thought of what she had—that either one should pull out early while the relationship is still good, or one should not limit themselves to just being Xiao Ming's business partner.
Emotional bonds are the best approach.
This was sufficiently proven by Xiao Ming's treatment of Jiang Xue.
Of course, this proof was also the biggest obstacle they faced—it remained to be seen who would get the last laugh.
Exchanging glances, Yun Shi Yu and Yang Hanqing both saw a fierce determination in each other's eyes.
In contrast, Shen Siyi was all smiles.
Because he and Xiao Ming were brothers, their relationship needed no further progression.
"Xue, here's some dried mango my grandma sent from our hometown, picked from our own orchard, really sweet, have a taste. If you like it, next time I'll ask her to send more."
Another colleague placed a plastic bag in front of her with an obsequious smile, and Jiang Xue could only keep thanking them.
She wanted to refuse, but when the first colleague came to offer her something as a gesture of thanks for the pizza snack day, she thought it was just standard courtesy, so after a few polite refusals, she accepted.
But this set a precedent; now that she had accepted from one, she couldn't refuse another, otherwise, wouldn't that be showing favoritism?
As a result, more and more people were bringing gifts, all inexpensive, either a handful of flower tea or some local produce, each one given with full sincerity.
Before long, Jiang Xue's workstation was piled high with bags and containers, nearly obscuring her monitor.
Even if she was naive, by this time, she had caught on.
All these changes had come about because of the change in her husband's status.
Previously, when colleagues thought Xiao Ming was a laborer, even while eating the pizza he bought, their thanks were superficial.
But today, her husband had suddenly appeared in the role of a controlling shareholder's representative, akin to dropping a bomb in the company.
Her identity was no longer just a designer or colleague, but the wife of a managing shareholder and major investor coming to experience life.
Looking at the heaps of gifts in front of her, Jiang Xue felt pride, but her emotions were also mixed.
Although her husband had indeed changed, it seemed to have gone too far, changing to the point that she hardly recognized him.
That Xiao Ming who couldn't even bear the blow of a failed venture, was he really that outstanding?
That's right, he was representing the company to negotiate with the difficult locals!
Those people were even a headache for government officials; if anything were to go wrong with him, that would be terrible!